slow 1 of 3

adjective

ˈslō How to pronounce slow (audio)
Definition of slownext
1
as in leisurely
moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed because of the holiday, traffic to the beach was particularly slow slow readers

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2
as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily we love our bulldog though he's a little slower than our German shepherd

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3
as in sleepy
lacking in gaiety, movement, or animation a slow day on Wall Street

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4
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest the first half of the movie is slow, but then it gets exciting

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slow

2 of 3

verb

as in to brake
to cause to move or proceed at a less rapid pace if you don't slow your delivery down a bit, your speech will be over too soon

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slow

3 of 3

adverb

as in slowly
at a pace that is less than usual, desirable, or expected you need to go slow with this experiment, or you'll make mistakes

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word slow distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slow are delay, detain, retard, and slacken. While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention.

medication slowed the patient's heart rate

In what contexts can delay take the place of slow?

In some situations, the words delay and slow are roughly equivalent. However, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.

bad weather delayed our arrival

When would detain be a good substitute for slow?

The meanings of detain and slow largely overlap; however, detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.

unexpected business had detained her

Where would retard be a reasonable alternative to slow?

While in some cases nearly identical to slow, retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.

language barriers retarded their progress

When can slacken be used instead of slow?

The synonyms slacken and slow are sometimes interchangeable, but slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.

on hot days runners slacken their pace

How is the word slow distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slow are delay, detain, retard, and slacken. While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention.

medication slowed the patient's heart rate

In what contexts can delay take the place of slow?

In some situations, the words delay and slow are roughly equivalent. However, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.

bad weather delayed our arrival

When would detain be a good substitute for slow?

The meanings of detain and slow largely overlap; however, detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.

unexpected business had detained her

Where would retard be a reasonable alternative to slow?

While in some cases nearly identical to slow, retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.

language barriers retarded their progress

When can slacken be used instead of slow?

The synonyms slacken and slow are sometimes interchangeable, but slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.

on hot days runners slacken their pace

How is the word slow distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slow are delay, detain, retard, and slacken. While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention.

medication slowed the patient's heart rate

In what contexts can delay take the place of slow?

In some situations, the words delay and slow are roughly equivalent. However, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.

bad weather delayed our arrival

When would detain be a good substitute for slow?

The meanings of detain and slow largely overlap; however, detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.

unexpected business had detained her

Where would retard be a reasonable alternative to slow?

While in some cases nearly identical to slow, retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.

language barriers retarded their progress

When can slacken be used instead of slow?

The synonyms slacken and slow are sometimes interchangeable, but slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.

on hot days runners slacken their pace

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of slow
Adjective
Cameras have been tracking the speeds of Colorado drivers along Highway 119 for months, resulting in slower drivers and ticket fines that are funding the program's expansion. —Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026 Because these vaunted specs are made with a natural substance, the process is slow. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
If feelings rise quickly, slow the tempo, breathe, and handle one issue at a time so cooperation can rebuild itself. —Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2026 If small or medium-sized businesses can't get funding to help grow, the overall economy could slow down. —Maria Aspan, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Adverb
Time, of course, moves slower in unfavorable situations, like running on a treadmill. —Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026 Windsor started off slow and struggled to hit shots. —Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow
  1. leisurely
  2. dumb
  3. sleepy
  4. boring
  5. brake
  6. slowly
  7. stupid
  8. dead
Adjective
  • So the coming months are a period for cocktails in bigger glasses, vessels that welcome more liquid for more leisurely sipping.
    — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Otherwise, consider the more posh neighborhoods of Chelsea and Kensington—ideal for leisurely days spent browsing boutiques and art galleries or strolling over to Notting Hill for coffee and craft bakeries.
    — Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of leisurely
Adjective
  • This is a dumb move by both parties.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Amazon is reportedly considering a dumb phone design to make this an additional device people would use alongside their typical Android phone or iPhone, rather than competing to become their main handset.
    — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of dumb
Adjective
  • The Lick On an otherwise unremarkable day, a young woman in a gray Chevy Impala pulled up to the front of a sprawling modern home in a sleepy Florida town.
    — Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
  • At that point, the parasite disrupts brain regions that regulate circadian rhythm, causing patients to become sleepy during the day and awake at night.
    — Fran Kritz, NPR, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of sleepy
Adjective
  • The rooms Forget boring beiges and personality-less whites.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026
  • This is a boring line of logic to keep hammering as the season drags on.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of boring
Verb
  • The mixer uses an EBI braking system that recovers up to 30% of energy.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Larger tires increase rotational inertia and lengthen the lever arm between hub and road, forcing the braking system to work harder.
    — Bryan Rogala, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of brake
Adverb
  • Moving slowly demands presence.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The official was one of three who compared their recent experience at NRC to being in a pot of slowly boiling water.
    — Avi Asher-Schapiro, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of slowly
Adjective
  • The American people are not stupid and will not accept more failure theater from Republicans in Congress.
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The American people are not stupid and will not accept more failure theater from Republicans in Congress.
    — Justin Papp, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of stupid
Adjective
  • Nine of the 14 dead were discovered in what is believed to have been a gym on the third floor, while three were found near a water tank on the second floor.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
  • She was taken to Stroger Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
    — Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of dead

Phrases Containing slow

Browse Nearby Words

slovens
slow
slow burn
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Cite this Entry

“Slow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slow. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on slow

Nglish: Translation of slow for Spanish Speakers

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